Weight-optimized rotor shaft, and process for manufacturing same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rotor shaft and a method for producing a rotor shaft.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotor shaft having a hollow shaft body having at least one profiling which extends externally on the shaft body in the longitudinal extent of the shaft body, wherein the shaft body is pressure-rolled and internally on the shaft body there is provided at least one bead-like profiling which extends in the longitudinal extent of the shaft body parallel with the profiling which extends externally on the shaft body, wherein the internally provided bead-like profiling and the externally extending profiling are sized in such a manner that the thickness in the region of the profilings does not fall below the final thickness of the completed shaft body, and wherein the rotor shaft has at least one end portion which is arranged at one end of the shaft body and which terminates the end of the shaft body, wherein the at least one end portion closes the shaft body. 
     
     
         2 . The rotor shaft as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rotor shaft has end portions which are arranged at both ends of the shaft body and which terminate the ends of the shaft body. 
     
     
         3 . The rotor shaft as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one end portion has a journal portion. 
     
     
         4 . The rotor shaft as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the shaft body and an end portion of the rotor shaft are pressure-rolled. 
     
     
         5 . The rotor shaft of  claim 1  wherein the at least one end portion is integrally formed with the shaft body. 
     
     
         6 . A method for producing a rotor shaft having a hollow shaft body having at least one profiling which extends externally on the shaft body in the longitudinal extent of the shaft body, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
 providing a metal semi-finished product;   forming a hollow shaft body from the semi-finished product; and   producing at least one profiling which extends externally on the shaft body in the longitudinal extent of the shaft body during the forming operation or after the forming operation;   wherein the forming is carried out by means of pressure-rolling in one or more pressure-rolling steps, wherein in the pressure-rolling step or in one of the pressure-rolling steps in the longitudinal extent of the shaft body at least one bead-like profiling is produced internally on the shaft body, wherein the internally provided bead-like profiling and the externally extending profiling are sized in such a manner that the thickness in the region of the profilings does not fall below the final thickness of the completed shaft body, and wherein the pressure-rolling further creates an end portion that is integrally formed with the shaft body and that terminates the end of the shaft body, wherein the end portion closes the shaft body.   
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one profiling which extends externally on the shaft body in the longitudinal extent of the shaft body is produced in the region of and parallel at the side facing away from the bead-like profiling. 
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one externally extending profiling is produced in a cutting manner.